A Bermuda cargo ship is stranded in port in the US after it suffered rudder problems.

The Bermuda Islander, operated by Meyer Freight, part of Bermuda International Shipping Ltd, is tied up in Salem, New Jersey while repairs are made.

George Butterfield, the vice-president for freight at the Meyer Group, declined to say what had caused the rudder problem.

But he added: “The Bermuda Islander is presently alongside in Salem, New Jersey, conducting unscheduled repairs to its rudder.”

He added that urgent containers that arrived at the firm’s terminal had been transferred to Port Elizabeth in the same state and arrived in Bermuda yesterday.

Mr Butterfield said that BISL had arranged to charter a replacement ship and that “it’s our hope that regular service will resume on Monday June 21”.